U.S. patent application number 17/091627 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-25 for electronic skill game.
This patent application is currently assigned to Banilla Games, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Banilla Games, Inc.. Invention is credited to Garrett Blackwelder, Justin Harris, Kevin Morse, Timothy Smith.
Application Number | 20210056798 17/091627 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005195313 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210056798 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blackwelder; Garrett ; et
al. |
February 25, 2021 |
Electronic Skill Game
Abstract
An electronic skill game system and method are provided. The
electronic skill game system may include an electronic skill game;
a display; one or more user inputs; and one or more computer
processors associated with the electronic skill game, display, and
the one or more user inputs. The one or more computer processors
are preferably programmed to perform operations including
generating an electronic skill game board screen on the display
including at least one pattern of icons and a set of alternate
icons displayed on the electronic skill game board screen;
receiving and processing one or more user inputs, wherein the one
or more user inputs comprise a user selecting one of the alternate
icons to replace a designated icon of the pattern of icons; and
outputting an outcome based on the user's selection.
Inventors: |
Blackwelder; Garrett;
(Grimesland, NC) ; Morse; Kevin; (Greenville,
NC) ; Smith; Timothy; (Grimesland, NC) ;
Harris; Justin; (Greenville, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Banilla Games, Inc. |
Greenville |
NC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Banilla Games, Inc.
Greenville
NC
|
Family ID: |
1000005195313 |
Appl. No.: |
17/091627 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14825908 |
Aug 13, 2015 |
|
|
|
17091627 |
|
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62037263 |
Aug 14, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/34 20130101;
G07F 17/3295 20130101; G07F 17/326 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20060101
G07F017/32; G07F 17/34 20060101 G07F017/34 |
Claims
1. A gaming system for providing an electronic skill game to a
player, the gaming system comprising: a. a game machine; b. a
display associated with the game machine; c. a player interface
associated with the game machine, wherein the player interface is
operable to receive a player selection; d. a consideration input
associated with the game machine, wherein the consideration input
is operable to establish a consideration balance; and e. one or
more game controllers comprising one or more processors associated
with the game machine, display, consideration input, and the player
interface, the one or more processors programmed to perform
operations including: i. generating an electronic skill game board
screen on the display including at least one pattern of icons, a
designated icon; and a set of alternate icons, wherein the
designated icon is displayed as part of, but visually distinct
from, the at least one pattern of icons, and the at least one
pattern of icons and designated icon are displayed on a first part
of the display, and wherein the set of alternate icons are
displayed on a second part of the display separate from the at
least one pattern of icons and designated icon; ii. analyzing the
generated at least one pattern of icons, designated icon, and the
set of alternate icons to determine if one or more winning
combinations are possible by replacing the designated icon with one
of the alternate icons, and if more than one winning combination is
available determining which of the alternate icons most correctly
completes the at least one pattern of icons in accordance with a
predefined criteria; iii. receiving a command initiated by a player
through the player interface, wherein the command comprises
identifying one of the alternate icons to replace the designated
icon of the displayed at least one pattern of icons; iv.
determining if the received command from the player identified the
alternate icon that most correctly completes the at least one
pattern of icons in accordance with the predefined criteria; and v.
displaying an outcome based on the received command from the
player, wherein a winning outcome comprises a received command from
the player identifying the alternate icon that mostly correctly
completes the at least one pattern of icons in accordance with the
predefined criteria.
2. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the display and the player
interface are components of the game machine.
3. The gaming system of claim 2 wherein the one or more processors
are a component of the game machine.
4. The gaming system of claim 2 wherein the one or more processors
are remote from the game machine.
5. The gaming system of claim 1 further comprising a database
associated with the one or more processors.
6. The gaming system of claim 5 wherein the database comprises an
outcome repository comprising a predefined finite list of the
pattern of icons and/or alternate icons to be displayed on the
electronic skill game board screen for one or more upcoming game
plays of the electronic skill game.
7. The gaming system of claim 6 wherein the one or more processors
are programmed to further perform operations including displaying
all of or a portion of the predefined finite list of the pattern of
icons and/or alternate icons.
8. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the one or more processors
are programmed to further perform operations including at least one
of randomly or pseudo-randomly generate the at least one pattern of
icons and/or the set of alternate icons for display on the
electronic skill game board screen.
9. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein an associated prize is
awarded upon a win outcome.
10. The gaming system of claim 9 wherein the associated prize
comprises any one of money, merchandise, tokens, points, credits,
chips, tallies, tickets, and/or an item of value or perceived
value.
11. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the electronic skill game
board screen comprises a multi-reel slot machine style game.
12. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the electronic skill game
comprises one or more levels of play.
13. The gaming system of claim 1, further comprising one or more
pay lines designated on the electronic skill game board screen.
14. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein the at least one pattern
of icons is defined along one or more of the one or more pay
lines.
15. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of game
machines are networked together.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein if the displayed alternate icons
includes at least one alternate icon to replace the designated icon
that correctly completes the at least one pattern of icons in
accordance with the predefined criteria, a next game board screen
will not be automatically displayed to the player until the player
identifies one of the alternate icons to replace the designated
icon of the at least one pattern of icons.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the game machine comprises: a.
the display housed therein, wherein the display is configured to be
viewable by the player; b. the player interface integrated therein,
wherein the player interface is configured to be accessible by the
player; c. the consideration input housed therein, wherein the
consideration input is configured to accept consideration from the
player; d. the one or more game controllers housed therein, wherein
the one or more processors of the one or more game controllers
comprise non-transitory computer readable medium; and e. the
electronic skill game, wherein the electronic skill game is loaded
onto the non-transitory computer readable medium as executable
program code.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority to
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/825,908, filed Aug. 13, 2015,
the application of which claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/037,263, filed Aug. 14, 2014, the entire
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention is directed to an electronic skill game.
Specifically, the invention is related to an electronic skill-based
redemption game.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Electronic skills games, such as electronic skill-based
redemption games (a.k.a. nudge games), are widely used in various
jurisdictions, such as Georgia, that allow gaming devices that are
based on a players use of some "skill" to potentially win something
of value. However, most of these electronic skills games lack the
look and feel of traditional gaming systems, such as slot machines.
This negatively affects a player's experience and, thus, the
attractiveness of playing such games.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an improved electronic skill
game that has the look and feel of traditional gaming systems, such
as slot machines, and the like, but that requires some level of
player "skill" to play the game and potentially win something of
value.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one embodiment, an electronic skill game system is
provided. The electronic skill game system may include an
electronic skill game; a display; one or more user inputs; and one
or more computer processors associated with the electronic skill
game, display, and the one or more user inputs. The one or more
computer processors are preferably programmed to perform operations
including generating an electronic skill game board screen on the
display including at least one pattern of icons and a set of
alternate icons displayed on the electronic skill game board
screen; receiving and processing one or more user inputs, wherein
the one or more user inputs comprise a user selecting one of the
alternate icons to replace a designated icon of the pattern of
icons; and outputting an outcome based on the user's selection. The
display and the one or more user inputs may be components of one or
more electronic game devices. The one or more computer processors
may be a component of the one or more electronic game devices. The
one or more computer processors may be remote from the one or more
electronic game devices. The electronic skill game system may
further include a database associated with the one or more computer
processors. The database may include an outcome repository
including a predefined finite list of the pattern of icons and/or
alternate icons to be displayed on the electronic skill game board
screen for one or more upcoming game plays of the electronic skill
game. The one or more computer processors may be programmed to
further perform operations including displaying all of or a portion
of the predefined finite list of the pattern of icons and/or
alternate icons. The one or more computer processors may be
programmed to further perform operations including at least one of
randomly or pseudo-randomly generate the at least one pattern of
icons and/or the set of alternate icons for display on the
electronic skill game board screen. The outcome may include one of
a win or a loss designation. The win outcome may include the user
selecting one of the alternate icons to replace the designated icon
that correctly completes the at least one pattern of icons in
accordance with predefined criteria. An associated prize may be
awarded upon a win outcome. The associated prize may include any
one of money, merchandise, tokens, points, credits, chips, tallies,
tickets, and/or an item of value or perceived value. The at least
one pattern of icons and set of alternate icons may be displayed on
separate portions of the electronic skill game board screen. The
electronic skill game board screen may include a multi-reel slot
machine style game. The electronic skill game may include one or
more levels of play. The electronic skill game system may further
include one or more pay lines designated on the electronic skill
game board screen. The at least one pattern of icons may be defined
along one or more of the one or more pay lines. A plurality of
electronic skill games may be networked together.
[0006] In another embodiment, a method of playing an electronic
skill game is provided. The method of playing the electronic skill
game may include accessing an electronic skill game, which may
include a display and one or more user inputs; activating the
electronic skill game, wherein upon activating the electronic skill
game an electronic skill game board screen is displayed, which may
at least one pattern of icons and a set of alternate icons; and
selecting one of the alternate icons to replace a designated icon
of the at least one pattern of icons, wherein upon making a correct
selection an associated prize is awarded. The method may further
include providing consideration prior to a game play. The
consideration may include any one or more of money, tokens, points,
chips, tallies, tickets, codes, and/or the like. The method may
further include selecting a play amount for a particular game play.
The play amount may include a value of any one or more of money,
tokens, points, chips, tallies, tickets, and/or the like selected
to play a particular game play. Activating the particular game of
the electronic skill game may include a user selecting a
corresponding user input. The at least one pattern of icons and the
set of alternate icons may be displayed on separate portions of the
electronic skill game board screen. The at least one pattern of
icons and/or the set of alternate icons may be one or more of
randomly generated, pseudo-randomly generated, and/or selected from
a predefined finite list of patterns of icons and/or alternate
icons. Selecting one of the alternate icons may include a user
selecting one or more corresponding user inputs to cause one of the
alternate icons to replace the designated icon of the at least one
pattern of icons. Upon making an incorrect selection a play amount
selected by a user for a particular game play may be deducted from
an amount of consideration that was provided by the user prior to
the game play. The electronic skill game board screen may include a
multi-reel slot machine style game. The electronic skill game may
include one or more levels of play. The electronic skill game may
include one or more pay lines designated on the electronic skill
game board screen. The at least one pattern of icons may be defined
along one or more of the one or more pay lines. The method may
further include viewing a predefined finite list of the at least
one pattern of icons and/or set alternate icons of one or more
upcoming game plays on the electronic skill game screen prior to a
game play. Making the correct selection may include selecting one
of the alternate icons to replace the designated icon that
correctly completes the at least one pattern of icons in accordance
with predefined criteria. If more than one selection is available
to replace the designated icon of the at least one pattern of
icons, the correct selection may include selecting an alternate
icon that most correctly completes the at least one pattern of
icons in accordance with predefined criteria. The at least one
pattern of icons and/or pay line associated with the at least one
pattern of icons may include a value associated therewith, and
selecting the alternate icon that most correctly completes the at
least one pattern of icons may include selecting an alternate icon
that provides the at least one pattern of icons resulting in a
highest value as compared to the other available selections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Having thus described the presently disclosed subject matter
in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying
Drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and
wherein:
[0008] FIGS. 1A-B illustrate a view of example electronic game
board screens of an electronic skill game in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0009] FIGS. 2A-B illustrate a view of example electronic game
rules screen of the electronic skill game in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention; and
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a high-level view of a plurality of
electronic game devices networked together in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described
more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Drawings,
in which some, but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed
subject matter are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout. The presently disclosed subject matter may be embodied
in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to
the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal
requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of
the presently disclosed subject matter set forth herein will come
to mind to one skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed
subject matter pertains having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
Drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently
disclosed subject matter is not to be limited to the specific
embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments
are intended to be included within the scope of the appended
claims.
[0012] The invention provides an electronic skill game, system, and
method in which a player must use some level of skill to make a
correct selection or action to win, for example, the user may be
required to choose a correct one of a plurality of icons displayed
on an electronic game board display to complete a winning pay line
displayed on the electronic game board screen and win a prize,
which may take a number of forms, including, but not limited to
money, merchandise, tokens, points, credits, chips, tallies,
tickets, or other item of value or perceived value.
[0013] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an
electronic game system 100. In one embodiment, a player accesses an
electronic game device 103 and initiates/activates an electronic
skill game 107. Upon initiation/activation of electronic skill game
107 the player is presented with a pattern of icons 110 displayed
on electronic game board screen 115 of electronic game device 103,
and the player has the opportunity to replace, e.g., "swap", an
icon, such as designated icon 125 (e.g., "Hot Swap" icon), in the
displayed pattern of icons 110 with one of a plurality of alternate
icons 130, displayed separately from the pattern of icons 110, and
therefore the player may "swap" icon 125 in the displayed pattern
for one of alternate icons 130. If the player selects a correct
alternate icon 130 to swap with designated icon 125, e.g., an icon
that correctly completes one or more pay lines 135 based on some
predefined criteria (e.g., completes a predefined winning pattern
of icons on one or more pay lines 135) on the game display 115,
then the player wins an associated prize 140. However, if the
player selects an incorrect alternate icon 130, e.g., an icon that
does not correctly (or most correctly), complete one or more pay
lines 135 on electronic game board screen 115, then the player does
not win the associated prize 140. Game 107 may have one or more pay
lines 135 that correspond to various patterns of icons 110
displayed on game display 107. In a non-limiting example, pay lines
135 may include one or more lines that pass through a plurality of
icons 135. For example, in a five reel slot machine style game as
shown, for example, in FIGS. 2A-B, pay lines 135 may include one or
more straight and/or zig-zag lines passing through a series of five
icons in a generally horizontal direction across the five reels.
Pay lines 135 may have a value, such as a number value, associate
therewith, and the criteria to win requires a user to select the
alternate icon to replace the designated icon that completes a
pattern of icons 110 along one of pay lines 135 that yields the
highest value.
[0014] Game system 100 may include one or more game devices 103.
Game devices 103 may be any device capable of allowing a player to
play a game, or games, and may also be capable of dispensing
prizes/awards, monetary or otherwise, as appropriate. Game device
103 may be a stand-alone unit capable of operating play on its own
or, may be part of a network 200 (as shown in FIG. 3) that has a
plurality of networked game devices 103. Game device 103 may be
configured to display an electronic skill game 107, e.g., an
electronic skill-based redemption game. Game system 100 may further
be configured with a finite, predefined pool of outcomes (e.g.,
displayed image patterns, designated images, and/or alternate
images) and/or prizes 140 for each play, and/or at each level for
multi-level games. Alternatively, outcomes and/or prizes 140 may be
generated randomly, pseudo randomly, or combination of any of the
above. In one embodiment, a user may be able to view the outcome
(e.g., for each game play, whether from a finite predefined pool of
outcomes, or generated randomly or pseudo randomly) prior to
playing the game and/or prior to providing consideration for
playing the game.
[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, electronic skill game
107 may be, for example, in the form of a five reel slot machine
style game as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1A-B. However, the
invention is not limited to only slot machine style games. Various
embodiments of the invention can be used to illustrate view play of
any game capable of being played on an electronic gaming machine.
For example, the game device 103 may be configured to play games,
including, but not limited to, slots, video poker, keno, black
jack, and/or other gaming style electronic games.
[0016] Game system 100 preferably includes a number of buttons
and/or other similar activation and/or selection type mechanisms
for user input (such as a player and/or operator). Such, buttons,
activation, or selection mechanism may take the form of any of
buttons, switches, dials, touch screen, touch pad/surface, mouse,
voice/sound prompts, or other suitable mechanism, whether currently
known or in the future, and any combination thereof that permits a
user to activate or make a selection or action for the purpose of
playing or operating game system 100, (generically referred to as
"buttons" hereinafter). Examples of such buttons associated with
game system 100 may include, but are not limited to, play 145, play
amount 150, volume 155, exit 160, rules 165, max play amount 170,
and/or any other suitable buttons for a player or operator to play
or operate game system 100.
[0017] With reference to FIGS. 2A-B, by a player/operator selecting
rules 165, game system 100 may display a game rules screen 175 on,
for example, electronic game device 103. Rules display 175 may
include a plurality of other selectable buttons, including but not
limited to, pay table 180, close 185, and/or any other suitable
buttons for a player or operator to play or operate game system
100. In one non-limiting example, by selecting pay table 180, a
player or operator of game system 100 may be able to view all or a
portion of the outcomes, or prizes 140 for a particular game 107,
e.g., a finite preselected list of outcomes and/or prizes 140 for
each play, and/or at each level of play for multi-level games. By
selecting close 185, a player or operator of game system 100 may
exit game rules screen 175 and return to a home screen or previous
game play screen of electronic skill game 107. Game rules screen
175 may include one or more of a set of rules 190 for playing a
particular electronic skill game 107, winning pay lines 135, and/or
other information related to play or operation of the particular
electronic skill game 107. Game device 103 may include a display
for displaying electronic game board screen 115 for electronic
skill game 107, and may include a number of pay lines 135, (e.g.,
shown as numbered 1-25 in FIGS. 1A and 1B), wherein on a given play
if a winning pattern of icons 110 is displayed on, or caused to be
displayed by a user's selection, on one or more of pay lines 135
(e.g., matching winning combinations on one or more pay lines 135),
the player will win associated prize 140.
[0018] In one example, a player inserts some amount consideration
into game device 103, or otherwise provides the consideration to
play an electronic skill game 107. Consideration may take a number
of forms, including, but not limited to money, tokens, points,
chips, tallies, tickets, activation code, or the like, whether
purchased, earned, or otherwise received in order to use, activate,
or play electronic skill game 107. The player may then decide what
play amount 150 the player wants to play (i.e., the amount of the
inserted consideration for a particular game play), by making the
appropriate selection of the play amount 150 button to increase or
decrease the amount. Once the play amount 150 is selected the
player may then select play button 145 to start/activate a game
play. In one non-limiting example, upon selecting play button 145
game system 100 causes a pattern of icons 110 to be generated and
displayed, for example, represented across a series of reels on
electronic game board screen 115. Game system 100 further causes a
number of alternate icons 130 to also be displayed on a separate
area of electronic game board screen 115 from that of the pattern
of icons 110, for example on a side portion of electronic game
board screen 115. The generated pattern of icons 110 and/or
alternate icons 130 may be randomly or pseudo-randomly generated by
game system 100, or may be from a finite predefined pool/list. The
player then selects, using one or more user inputs, one of the
alternate icons 130 to replace (swap with) a designated icon 125
(e.g., "Hot Swap" icon) in the pattern of icons 110 displayed on
electronic game board screen 115. If the player selects an
alternate icon 130 that correctly completes one or more pay lines
135 on electronic game board screen 115, then the player wins
associated prize 140. However, if the player selects an incorrect
alternate icon 130, e.g., an icon that does not correctly complete
a pay line 135 on the electronic game board screen 115, then the
player does not win associated prize 140, and the selected play
amount 150 that the player selected is deducted from the amount of
consideration the player inserted into, or provided to play,
electronic skill game 107.
[0019] In another example, if the player is presented with a
designated icon 125 (e.g., "Hot Swap" icon), and more than one of
the alternate icons 130 could complete one of the pay lines 135, or
one of the alternate icons 130 could complete more than one of the
pay lines 135, the player must select an alternate icon 130 that
would best complete the pay line 135, i.e., the alternate icon 130
that would give pay line 135 the highest value, in order to win the
associated prize 140. If the player selects an alternate icon 130
that completes a lower value pay line 135, then the player does not
win the associated prize 140, and the amount of the player selected
pay amount 150 is deducted from the amount of consideration
provided by the player.
[0020] In yet another embodiment, if a game play yields a pattern
of icons 110, wherein selecting one of alternate icons 130 would
correctly complete a pay line 135, i.e., a winning combination is
possible, electronic skill game 107 will not allow the player to
play again until the player selects one of the alternate icons 130
to swap with the designated icon 125, regardless of whether or not
it is the correct swap.
[0021] The term select, selection, activate, activation, access,
accessing, and the like, shall mean any suitable method/mechanism
for making a selection, activation, and/or accessing, including but
not limited to, using a button, switch, dial, knob, touch screen,
touch pad/surface, voice/sound prompt, mouse click, joy stick, or
the like, whether currently known or in the future, and any
combination thereof.
[0022] Game system 100 may also include a software component. The
software component may be part of, or added to an existing software
program of the game device 103. The software component may be
programmed or otherwise embedded into a readable storage medium and
may be on a printed circuit board, or the like, which may then be
connected to game devices 103, e.g., to existing display monitor,
control buttons, and any other necessary game components.
Alternatively, the existing software program and/or the software
component may be loaded on remote system manager computer 215
and/or a remote centralized data center computer 225 Shown in FIG.
3).
[0023] The software component may include one or more of the
following executable instructions to be carried out by the
software: generation of an on screen display that may include a
game title, a set of instructions, game graphics, and/or an outcome
table, list and/or display; receive input of a player's or
operator's commands through anyone of a plurality of inputs to any
of game system's 100 hardware; accessing a database of
predetermined graphics, symbols, tables and/or values, to create
the game displays; accessing an outcome/prize table, which may be
saved in a game memory storage medium, having a finite preselected
list of outcomes and/or prizes for each level of game play, or
accessing a random or pseudo random outcome and/or prize generator
for generating the outcomes and/or prizes for each level of game
play. The software component may further include executable
instructions to be carried out by the software, such as, initiating
the game upon selection of the selected game play, and tracking and
recording game play data and accounting such as number of plays,
credits in/out (consideration taken in/payouts), and the like.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 3, a network 200 for providing a
networked electronic game system 100 according to one embodiment of
the present invention is illustrated. Network 200 may include one
or more game devices 103, networked together via a communication
link 205 at a particular location, for example, a single site
indicated by box 210, or across multiple locations, e.g., multiple
sites 210. In addition, each game device 103 may be networked via
communication link 205 to one or more system manager computers 215.
The system manager computer 215 may be located at site 210, or
alternatively may be remote from site 210. System manager computer
215 may be networked via a communication link 220 to one or more
remote data center computers 225.
[0025] It will be appreciated that data communication between
components of network 200 may be adapted to send and receive data
via wired, wireless transmissions, using any suitable wireless
connection, or a combination of wired and wireless
transmissions.
[0026] Communication links 205 and 220 may comprise modems,
telephone lines, the Internet, intranet, satellites, wireless
connections, or the like, whether currently known or in the future,
and any combination thereof for sending and receiving data and
signals. Communication links 205 and 220 preferably provide a fast,
efficient, reliable, and secure means for transferring digital data
between components of network 200.
[0027] System manager computer 215, in one embodiment, preferably
provides a hub for game devices 103 and performs various other
site-related functions. For example, system manager computer 215,
may maintain and provide accounting information for site 210,
contain information related to game system 100, and/or transmit
game information (updates, new games, fixes, and the like) to the
game devices 103.
[0028] In an embodiment, selected data may be periodically
transferred back and forth between system manager computer 215 and
data center computer 225. For example, type and amount of
accumulated transactions may be reported by each system manager
computer 215 to data center computer 225 on a regular basis, such
as hourly, daily, weekly, etc. Game devices 103 may communicate
directly with system manager computer 215 and/or data center
computer 225.
[0029] Data center computer 225 may store, track, and maintain game
outcome tables for all games currently being played. In one
embodiment data center computer 225, or alternatively system
manager computer 215, may also store all game software,
information, and instruction, and game devices 103 may function
primarily as a means of accepting the game information and
instruction, displaying the game to the player for play, for
example, although the player enters a game selections and plays the
game from game devices 103, the actual functionality of the game
may be performed remotely by data center computer 225, or
alternatively system manager computer 215.
[0030] It will be appreciated that in alternate embodiments the
functions and operations of system manager computer 215 and data
center computer 225 may be combined in different configurations
into one or more computers or stations located either at site 210
or remote from site 210. System manager computer 215 and data
center computer 225 may be any standard computer for example, be a
general purpose computer, special purpose computer, personal
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus. System
manager computer 215 and data center computer 225 may comprise a
memory, and may serve to provide processing capabilities, such as
storing, interpreting, and/or executing software instructions, as
well as controlling the overall operation of the system. System
manager computer 215 and data center computer 225 may be configured
and programmed to control data, communications, and/or power
aspects of these devices.
[0031] It will be appreciated that various aspects of the invention
may be embodied as a method, system, computer readable medium,
and/or computer program product. Aspects of the invention may take
the form of hardware embodiments, software embodiments (including
firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or embodiments
combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be
referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or "system."
Furthermore, the methods of the invention may take the form of a
computer program product on a computer-usable storage medium having
computer-usable program code embodied in the medium.
[0032] Any suitable computer useable medium may be utilized for
software aspects of the invention. The computer-usable or
computer-readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an
electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or
semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. The
computer readable medium may include transitory and/or
non-transitory embodiments. More specific examples (a
non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include
some or all of the following: an electrical connection having one
or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random
access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical
fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an
optical storage device, a transmission medium such as those
supporting the Internet or an intranet, or a magnetic storage
device. Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium
could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the
program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured,
via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium,
then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable
manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. In the
context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable
medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate,
propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection
with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
Program code for carrying out operations of the invention may be
written in an object oriented programming language such as Java,
Smalltalk, C++ or the like. However, the program code for carrying
out operations of the invention may also be written in conventional
procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming
language or similar programming languages. The program code may be
executed by a processor, application specific integrated circuit
(ASIC), or other component that executes the program code. The
program code may be simply referred to as a software application
that is stored in memory (such as the computer readable medium
discussed above). The program code may cause the processor (or any
processor-controlled device) to produce a graphical user interface
("GUI"). The graphical user interface may be visually produced on a
display device, yet the graphical user interface may also have
audible features. The program code, however, may operate in any
processor-controlled device, such as a computer, server, personal
digital assistant, phone, television, or any processor-controlled
device utilizing the processor and/or a digital signal
processor.
[0033] The program code may locally and/or remotely execute. The
program code, for example, may be entirely or partially stored in
local memory of the processor-controlled device. The program code,
however, may also be at least partially remotely stored, accessed,
and downloaded to the processor-controlled device. A user's
computer, for example, may entirely execute the program code or
only partly execute the program code. The program code may be a
stand-alone software package that is at least partly on the user's
computer and/or partly executed on a remote computer or entirely on
a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote
computer may be connected to the user's computer through a
communications network.
[0034] The invention may be applied regardless of networking
environment. The communications network may be a cable network
operating in the radio-frequency domain and/or the Internet
Protocol (IP) domain. The communications network, however, may also
include a distributed computing network, such as the Internet
(sometimes alternatively known as the "World Wide Web"), an
intranet, a local-area network (LAN), and/or a wide-area network
(WAN). The communications network may include coaxial cables,
copper wires, fiber optic lines, and/or hybrid-coaxial lines. The
communications network may even include wireless portions utilizing
any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and any signaling
standard (such as the IEEE 802 family of standards, GSM/CDMA/TDMA
or any cellular standard, and/or the ISM band). The communications
network may even include powerline portions, in which signals are
communicated via electrical wiring. The invention may be applied to
any wireless/wireline communications network, regardless of
physical componentry, physical configuration, or communications
standard(s).
[0035] Certain aspects of invention are described with reference to
various methods and method steps. It will be understood that each
method step may be implemented by the program code and/or by
machine instructions. The program code and/or the machine
instructions may create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the methods.
[0036] The program code may also be stored in a computer-readable
memory that can direct the processor, computer, or other
programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular
manner, such that the program code stored in the computer-readable
memory produce or transform an article of manufacture including
instruction means which implement various aspects of the method
steps.
[0037] The program code may also be loaded onto a computer or other
programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of
operational steps to be performed to produce a processor/computer
implemented process such that the program code provides steps for
implementing various functions/acts specified in the methods of the
invention.
[0038] Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms
"a," "an," and "the" refer to "one or more" when used in this
application. Thus, for example, reference to "a subject" includes a
plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the
contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth.
[0039] Throughout this specification, the terms "comprise,"
"comprises," and "comprising" are used in a non-exclusive sense,
except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term
"include" and its grammatical variants are intended to be
non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the
exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to
the listed items.
[0040] For the purposes of this specification, unless otherwise
indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions,
proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages,
parameters, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values
used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being
modified in all instances by the term "about" even though the term
"about" may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range.
Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical
parameters set forth in the following specification and attached
claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or
larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion
factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other
factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired
properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject
matter. For example, the term "about," when referring to a value
can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments,
.+-.100% in some embodiments .+-.50%, in some embodiments .+-.20%,
in some embodiments .+-.10%, in some embodiments .+-.5%, in some
embodiments .+-.1%, in some embodiments .+-.0.5%, and in some
embodiments .+-.0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations
are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the
disclosed compositions.
[0041] Further, the term "about" when used in connection with one
or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer
to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies
that range by extending the boundaries above and below the
numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by
endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including
fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the
recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as
fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and
any range within that range.
[0042] Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in
some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of
clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced
within the scope of the description herein.
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